Domain Name FAQs

Domain Name Registration FAQs

What is a domain name?

A domain name is a unique address or identifier on the World Wide Web. One easily recognizable example is google.com: Type that domain name in your browser address bar, and the worldwide system of name servers connects you to the content of the Google web site.

Domain names are sometimes referred to as the real estate of the World Wide Web. A domain name gives you exclusive rights to a unique parcel on the Internet landscape.

How do I register a domain name?

Log in. In the "Register a Domain" text box, type the domain name you want to register. Click "GO".

If none of the suggested domain names meet your needs, use the "Give it another go" box to check the availability of another domain name.

Select the check boxes for the domain names you want to register and click "Add to Cart".

Select or clear check boxes for extra services and click "Add Checked Services". Double-check the contents of the shopping cart to make sure it contains the items you want to purchase, then click "Checkout Now". Select the "Terms and Conditions" check box and click "Purchase Items".

What is preconfiguration?

Preconfiguration is providing contact and organization information that some country code registries require.

Preconfiguration information is often used by registries that have "presence requirements"—requirements that the registrant and/or other contacts live or have documented organizations in the country.

How do I register a domain name that requires preconfiguration?

Log in. In the "Register a Domain" text box, type the domain name you want to register. Click "GO". Select the check box for the domain name you want and click "Add to Cart". Select any extra services you want and click "Add Checked Services". In the row of the domain name that requires preconfiguration, click "preconfigure". Fill in the form and click "Save My Settings". Double-check the contents of the cart and then click "Checkout Now". Select the "Terms and Conditions" check box and click "Purchase Items".

How do I register a list of domain names?

If you already have a list of domain names you want to purchase, and they don’t require preconfiguration, you can use our bulk registration process.

To register a list of domain names, log in. In the "Manage My Domains" section, click "Bulk Register". In the "Domains to Register" text box, type in the domain names you want to register. Complete the rest of the form and click "Add To Cart". Add or remove any desired services and click "Checkout Now". Select the "Terms and Conditions" check box and click "Purchase Items".

I want to register all of my domains for 5 years at a time. How do I do this?

What if I change my mind, or spell a name wrong. Can I get my money back?

Is there anything I can do to protect my domain names from hijacking?

Yes. We offer Registrar-Lock, which prevents your domain names from being transferred without your permission.

To set Registrar-Lock for all domains you register, log in and click "My Account". On the "Quick Links" tab, click "General Settings". In the "Domain Purchase Options" section, select the "Registrar-Lock" check box and click "Save Changes".

To set Registrar-Lock for a domain name you’ve already registered, log in and click "Registered Domains". Click the domain name you want to protect. In the "General Settings" row click "edit". In the "Registrar-Lock" row select "Enable" and then click "Save Changes".

Is there anything I can do to protect my domain names from expiring?

Yes. We offer Auto Renew, which renews domain names before they expire. You can set Auto Renew at an account-wide level or for individual domain names.

To set Auto Renew for all domains you register, log in and click "My Account". On the "Quick Links" tab, click "General Settings". In the "Auto Renew Options" section, select the "Domains" check box and click "Save Changes".

To set Auto Renew for a domain name you have already registered, log in and click "Registered Domains". Click the domain name you want to protect. In the "General Settings" row click "edit". In the "Auto Renew" row select "Enable" and then click "Save Changes".

Domain Name Transfer FAQs

What is a domain name transfer?

When you register a domain name, it is administered by a domain name registrar, a company that makes sure your domain name "works" in terms of connecting to your web site and delivering your email. If you change registrars, that change is known as a transfer.

Why would I transfer a domain name?

The most common reasons for transferring a domain name are to take advantage of a different registrars products or prices, to consolidate all your domain names with a single registrar, or to pursue a different level or style of customer service.

What domain names can be transferred?

To see which domain names can be transferred, visit our TLD Overview. To see the TLD Overview, go to the bottom of the page and click "Help". In the "Domain" section click "Extension Details (TLDs)".

If I can’t transfer my domain name but want to use your services, is there a way for me to do that?

Yes. Almost all our services are available if you sign up for DNS Hosting.

Do I need to wait until my domain is about to expire before I transfer it?

Please submit your transfer requests well in advance of the expiration date. We are not responsible for domains that expire prior to a successful transfer. You do not lose any time, or pay for overlapping months. With the exception of .eu domain names, transfer adds a full year to the current expiration date.

How do I transfer a domain name to you?

Log in, hover on "Domain" and click "Transfer A Domain". Follow the instructions in the interface.

There are also tasks you must complete at your former registrar: make sure the Registrant and Administrative email addresses are correct (unless you are transferring from Go Daddy, in which case you should only make changes to the Administrative contact), unlock the domain name, retrieve the EPP key, and respond to transfer confirmation emails.

What is an Auto Verification transfer?

Auto Transfer is our paperless transfer system. For each domain on the request, we email the current domain Registrant and Administrative contacts for authorization.

If you plan to transfer domains on a regular basis, or for a large number of domain names with the same Registrant or Administrative contact, Verification by Fax may be easier than replying to multiple emails.

What is the Verification by Fax transfer method?

This transfer type requires that you fax us a signed authorization form and reliable evidence regarding your identity. This option is likely to save you time if you expect to transfer large numbers of domain names or if you expect to transfer domains on a regular basis.

What domains require an EPP transfer authorization code?

Transferring .com and .net domain names requires an EPP transfer authorization code, a security code that indicates you have the right to transfer the domain name. Please contact your current registrar to obtain this code prior to submitting your transfer request.

How do .eu transfers work?

For .eu domains the current registrant contact email address will receive email from the .eu registry (EURid) which needs to be approved within 7 days of the transfer order. The new expiration date of the domain will be 1 year from the completion date of the transfer.

My credit card was pre-authorized twice, will I be double charged?

You will be charged only once.

Where can I see my existing transfer orders?

Log in and click "My Accounts". In the "Transfers" section click "Manage". In the "Run A Report" tab, select a report type, set dates, and click "Run Report".

Domain Name Renewal FAQs

What is a domain name renewal?

When you register a domain name, you gain exclusive rights to that domain name for a period of time but not forever. It’s more like a lease than a purchase. In effect, renewing extends your lease on the domain name.

How do I renew a domain name?

Log in and click "My Account". Click "Registered Domains". Click the domain name you want to renew. Click "renew". Use the dropdown menu to select the number of years you want to renew, and click "Checkout Now". Agree to the terms and conditions and click "Purchase Items".

When can I renew a domain name?

You can renew a domain name almost any time, and you can extend the expiration date up to 10 years from today.

Avoid letting your domain expire! The registry allows a short period of time to renew at your normal registration price, but then they raise the price considerably, and if you don’t pay the grace period redemption price they delete the name. Once the name enters the deletion queue, we lose the ability to retrieve it for you. You have to compete for it on its deletion date, and if you’re able to regain it, it may be expensive. We strongly recommend renewing your domains well in advance of their expiration dates to avoid the frustration and expense of this process.